Everybody, I'm Justin with americanmuscle.com and welcome to my "Best Of "video for the
"Lower Control Arm Category" available for that 2005 to 2010 Mustang.
Now, the purpose of this video is to give you my top three picks currently in the category,
using a combination of customer feedback and popularity, along with my own personal experience
here at AM as well, and basically, to help you guys narrow down your decision a little
bit more when it comes time to swap out those stockers in your S197.
But why swap out the factory components in favor of a set of after-market lower control
arms?
Well, if you have '05 to '10 Mustang and you're watching this video, then chances are you
already know the answer to this question, wheel hop.
Now, don't get me wrong.
There will be other benefits to installing an after-market control arm like the options
you have here, but the biggie will no doubt be to help you eliminate wheel hop and improve
traction overall on your stocked or modified Mustang.
That lower control arm is actually representing 1/3 of your rear axle support along with the
upper control arm, of course, and that pan hard bar and, ultimately, I think the lowers
will be the most popular to replace due to ease of install, the price, and also the effectiveness.
Now, all three options here today will be a simple two bolt install that can be accomplished
by just about anyone in an hour or less using nothing more than a basic socket set.
So with all that said, let's put the power down with our first pick.
Up first, we have the very popular, entry-level option, the SR Performance Lower Control Arms.
Now, these are a non-adjustable option, which I think you'll find to be a little bit more
popular when compared to your adjustable lower control arms, because if you did need to make
some changes to your pinion angle using am adjustable upper control arm typically is
going to be the easiest way to do this.
But with that said, the SR Performance Control Arms are going to feature a popular recipe
in the land of after-market lowers, and that is fixed length, two-layer steel construction,
made in the USA, and loaded with a durable and greasable polyurethane bushing.
Now, that polybushing will be an upgrade over the factory rubber bushings, which due to
the softness can oftentimes deflect under load, and that is what causes that dreaded
wheel hop that we all know and honestly hate.
Now, altogether, the SR Performance option will be one of the most popular in the category
behind my next pick, and will be a great choice for the owners who are looking for a simple
and affordable upgrade over those factory control arms.
Up next, we have the most popular lower control arm in the category for the S197 and that
is of course the BMR Non-Adjustables.
In my opinion, one of the leaders in the land of Mustang suspension, more specifically for
the S197.
They just have these cars figured out, and as someone who has a number of BMR products
on my own GT, got nothing but good stuff to say about the brand.
Now, one thing you will notice in the lower control arm category is that BMR has a ton
of options available to you guys, including fixed length, adjustable options, poly to
spherical ends, color, and even more.
Now, the arms that we are featuring here on the table today, again, are the most popular
in the category.
Will deliver that 1x2 square steel tubing.
They are made in the USA, of course, and do feature the hammered powder coat and the high
durometer polyurethane bushings.
Now, the polybushing is a personal favorite of mine for both street cars and even street
cars that see some strip time because, yes, they will offer a large improvement in performance
over your factory bushings as pointed out earlier, but without some of the NVH or noise
vibration and harshness of a spherical bearing.
Look, if you guys are hardcore drag racers and spend most of your time at the track,
I would probably recommend going with a rod-end or spherical bearing in place of the poly
stuff because it will be the best bet in limiting the movement of the rear axle, but at the
cost of that added vibration and noise.
Now, that is ultimately your call and you can find a number of solid bushing arms on
the site if that's the route you wanted to go.
But back to the BMR options here, and again, just like the SR Performance control arms,
a very simple design and one that works really, really well according to the overwhelming
number of positive reviews.
Check those out on the product pages if you haven't already done so.
And ultimately, for just south of 100 bucks, BMR is one of the easiest choices I made here
today in this list.
But what if you're the type of Mustang owner who really values adjustability to ultimately
help you get the most out of your set-up no matter what kind of racing you are into.
If that sounds like you, then you should definitely check out a set of adjustables like the extremely
popular Eibach Pro-Alignment adjustable lower control arms.
Now, just like the SR and BMR options, the Eibach Pro-Alignment arms are the most popular
in the adjustable category and will ultimately help deliver up to four degrees of total pinion
adjustment.
This is obviously the biggie when checking out a set of adjustable arms, as you are getting
the ability to make some tweaks fixed arms simply won't allow for.
This includes not only your pinion angle, but also things like your thrust and tracking
angle as well.
Again, maybe not too important to the casual cruisers out there, but for the owners who
are serious about getting the most performance out of their set-up, an adjustable arm is
the way to go.
The Pro-Alignment arms will be on-car double adjustable and, unlike our first two options,
will feature a high durameter rubber bushing.
Now these will help deliver the quietest in-car experience out of any of the after-market
arms in the category, and will not require any grease or maintenance like a polyurethane
bushing would.
A really, really well made product from one of the most recognizable names in suspension,
and with its numerous five-star reviews, an easy choice for my adjustable options here
in the category.
Well, guys.
That's going to wrap up our "Best Of" video for the "Lower Control Arm Category" available
for your '05 to '10 Mustang.
A friendly reminder for all of your watching at home, these are just three of many, many
different options you are going to find on the site, so if you're not sold after watching
this video and want to shop around a little bit more, I'll always encourage you guys to
do so.
And while doing that, be sure to check out the customer reviews and customer submitted
feedback, as it will no doubt help you make your decision in the end.
I'm Justin.
Thanks for watching, and for all things Mustang, keep it right here at americanmuscle.com.